New Year, New You

“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” John Pierpont (J.P.) Morgan

It seems that at the beginning of every new year, or at the very end of the year, we all take a moment for evaluation. Some of us look at the past year and see things we wish we could do differently, and therefore, make resolutions. I recently did a Google search of the most common resolutions and this is what came up as the top three New Year’s Resolutions:

Diet or eat healthier
Exercise more
Lose weight

Do you see a theme in these resolutions? I do. These resolutions all relate to how we feel about ourselves and view ourselves physically. If you have made these kinds of resolutions, I would like to challenge you to change the way you think. Instead of being preoccupied with working on appearances, work towards a new you emotionally, mentally, spiritually. What are some signs that reveal that the way you think needs to change? Symptoms of unhealthy thinking could be anxious thoughts, trouble falling asleep, being overly critical or constantly negative, argumentative, belittling yourself or others. We all struggle with these symptoms at some point. They effect our relationships, our work performance, our satisfaction in life, or our sense of peace. So what can we do to revamp our thoughts? Here are some tools to help:

Mindfulness exercises — Do some deep breathing, meditations, reading in your Bible, journaling, coloring- these are all things that can help your brain recharge! There are also many apps that you can check out as well.
Nature — Getting outside is really good for your brain. You can get fresh air, soak up some Vitamin D, notice the birds, plants, be aware of your surroundings.
Gratitude — This is a big one. If you find that you are constantly feeling negative about something in particular, find reasons to be grateful for it. For example, if you have a “beater” car, be thankful you have a car that is able to get you to where you need to go. Find ways to be thankful for the hardest things in your life and it will begin to change the way you think. If you don’t believe me, do some research, or just try it!
Self-care — Exercise, eat right, drink water, and get a healthy amount of sleep. Taking care of your body helps you to regulate your emotions.

These four things are a great start to a new you. Give them a try and see what happens!

Topics: Gratitude · Mindfulness · Nature · Resolutions · Self-care

Written by Heather Neustadter, M.S. — formerly of Pike Creek Psychological Center.

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